No matter how healthy you are or how much exercise you do, you’re going to face different challenges as you approach midlife and beyond. Throughout your life, your mind and body are constantly evolving. By recognizing your body’s different needs and the increased risks you might be susceptible to, you can refine your lifestyle to maintain optimum health so that you can live a longer, more active life.
Get started by taking a look at the health challenges you’re more likely to face in midlife:
What To Expect In Your 50’s
Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is often associated with a sedentary lifestyle, weight gain and an excess of sugar. While all of these factors can increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes, there are other risk factors that you may not be aware of too. You’re more likely to develop type 2 diabetes once you hit the age of 40, for example. Additionally, you’re more at risk of developing the condition if you’ve ever had high blood pressure or have a family history.
Being more mindful of your diet and activity levels, quitting smoking and drinking lots of water as you age, can decrease your chances of developing Type 2 Diabetes. Annual check-ups including blood tests are key to catching fluctuations in your glucose levels early and quickly before other problems have a chance to develop.
Gum Disease
The risk of gum disease increases as you get older, which means you’re far more likely to develop periodontal problems in midlife than you are in your teens or twenties. As well as contributing to tooth loss and decay, gum disease has also been linked to heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
Due to this, you’ll want to visit your dentist regularly and make sure you’re taking care of all your family’s dental needs. When it comes to gum disease, prevention is always better than cure, so a comprehensive oral hygiene routine is a vital way to protect your health.
Broken Bones
A fall or impact can cause broken bones at any age but you’re more likely to experience this type of injury as you get older. Your bone density decreases as you age, which makes them more fragile and susceptible to breaks.
For women over the age of 50, hormonal changes have a significant impact on bone density, which increases the risk of osteoporosis, as well as physical injuries, like fractures. Talk to your doctor about supplements, diet and exercises that can help reverse at least some of the natural changes that accompanies aging.
Let’s face it, we don’t recover as quickly anymore either, so be careful and as safe as possible when moving our bodies. You may have to accept that you just can’t physically do what you used to do in your twenties, or heck, just 5 years ago. Be aware.
Stress
Stress can cause a vast array of debilitating symptoms, including insomnia, anxiety, fatigue, and headaches. Furthermore, excess stress has been linked to a number of health conditions, such as heart disease, depression, high blood pressure, and stroke.
As you approach midlife, you may face an increasing amount of stress. Pressure at work, raising a family, and/or caring for older relatives often causes a great deal of stress for people in midlife, which is why it’s so important to practice stress reduction techniques.
Though there are many things in your life that you probably have no control over that may increase your stress levels, you must practice self-awareness and take the time to decompress when you are becoming over-whelmed. You are no good to anyone if you don’t take care of yourself first.
Overcoming Midlife Health Challenges
Thinking about the increased health challenges you may face in midlife may seem daunting but, when it comes to your wellbeing, knowledge is power. By understanding the increased risk factors that could contribute to illness, you can take action to protect yourself now and in the future.
Often, preventative healthcare and lifestyle changes can drastically reduce your risk of developing certain conditions. By seeking advice from your physicians, consulting with your dentist, and continually improving your fitness, for example, you can transform your physical and emotional well-being, as well as reducing the risks of illness in midlife.